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Lopez is central to groundball plan

Rockies aiming to increase wins at Coors with double play balls

By Patrick Saunders The Denver Post

Posted:
02/13/2013 10:54:01 PM MST

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In 2012, the Rockies entered spring training intent on establishing what they called "a new clubhouse culture." A year later, under new manager Walt Weiss, the theme is not nearly as touchy-feely.

Indeed, as pitchers go through their first bullpen sessions, the catch phrase in camp is "groundball outs."

Hence the importance of right-handed, late-game reliever Wilton Lopez. He was acquired from Houston during the winter meetings in exchange for starting pitcher Alex White and right-handed prospect Alex Gillingham.

"The sinker is my pitch. I trust it," Lopez said Wednesday. "That's the pitch I will use in Denver to get outs."

Inducing grounders, and the double plays that come with them, is a central part of the Rockies' plan to winning at Coors Field -- a place where they were a miserable 35-46 last season.

"We're really going to try to drive home the fact that we're going to put the ball on the ground as a pitching staff," Weiss said. "Good things happen when you do that.

"We're going to get real good at turning double plays. Our infielders are going to do it well. Everything we do defensively is going to be geared toward turning double plays, turning two outs with a pitch. Pitchers will have to be able to identify how they do that individually."

During an offseason when the Rockies were relatively inactive, Lopez represents their biggest acquisition.

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"We got Wilton because of his reliability, his ability to throw strikes and because he's got a penchant for getting groundball outs," said Bill Geivett, the Rockies' senior vice president of major league operations. "Plus, he has maturity and a proven track record late in games."

Lopez was 6-3 with 10 saves and a 2.17 ERA in 64 games for the Astros last season. Known for his sharp command, he struck out 54 and walked only eight in 66 L innings. Since 2010, the 29-year-old from Nicaragua has posted a 2.64 ERA with 31 walks in 204-plus innings.

The Rockies will use Lopez as a late-game set-up man, teaming him with right-hander Matt Belisle and lefty Rex Brothers. Lopez's arrival should provide a respite for the overworked Belisle, who set a franchise record for a pitcher by appearing in 80 games last season. Lopez also is likely to get some chances in the ninth inning, providing a break for closer Rafael Betancourt, who turns 38 in April.

The Phillies nearly acquired Lopez a week before the Rockies did, but called off the deal because of concerns over an elbow injury that landed Lopez on the disabled list last season. Colorado did an extensive medical check on Lopez, including an MRI, before completing the trade with the Astros.

"I don't know what happened with Philadelphia," said Lopez, who will make $1.76 million this season. "I was a little confused by what they said. But the Rockies checked me out and I was just fine. My elbow doesn't hurt."

"I think if you look back on the years we were successful, you'll see that we were near the top in double plays and defense," Tulowitzki said.

He's right. In 2007, as the Rockies made their run to the World Series, they led the big leagues in fielding percentage (.989) and ranked second in double plays (180).

"I'm glad to see us going back to all of that," Tulowitzki said. "The big part is, can the pitchers do it? I believe that they can. And if they emphasize that -- going for groundballs instead of trying to strike guys outs -- I think that's a good plan."

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